Monday, January 18, 2010
Dems Running Scared
NYT reports (courtesy NRO) that the White House and Congressional Democrats are going to ask House Leaders to vote on the bill that passed the Senate, removing the requirement for a conference committee (and therein sending the bill straight to the President). This is going to get real, real interesting....
Keith Hennessey Handicaps Health Care vs. MA Senate Result
Typically thorough analysis. The man is very, very smart.
Who Is Scott Brown?
Well, for one thing, he is arguably more qualified to be elected President in 2012 than Illinois State Senator Obama was when he won his Senate seat in 2004......
Serious Criticism of President Obama by a Democrat
Robert Kuttner's a pretty reliable lefty and I think he reaches some poor conclusions on "tactics"...but his strategic criticisms of the Obama Presidency are spot on.
How wonderful would it be if Scott Brown wins in Massachusetts, causing Rahm Emanuel to resign and Nancy Pelosi to be thrown overboard by House Dems. Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?
H/T: NRO Web Briefing
How wonderful would it be if Scott Brown wins in Massachusetts, causing Rahm Emanuel to resign and Nancy Pelosi to be thrown overboard by House Dems. Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?
H/T: NRO Web Briefing
E.J. Dionne Offers More Ridiculous Analysis
EJ's latest here in the Washington Post is a classic of inanity. Here's a line I loved:
"But the success of the conservative narrative ought to trouble liberals and the Obama administration. The president has had to "own" the economic catastrophe much earlier than he should have. Most Americans understand that the mess we are in started before Obama got to the White House. Yet many, especially political independents, are upset that the government has had to spend so much and that things have not turned around as fast as they had hoped. "
Earlier than he should have? Just when should that have been, EJ? Someone PLEASE let me know when Barack Obama begins to be in charge. When does he own the economy? As for things not turning around as fast--could it be that the $800B stimulus bill was simply a bad bill that stimulated very little? Could there be ANY connection between disillusion with Obama and bad policy?
Is there even a possibility, E.J., that disillusion with Obama might have something to do with his decision to mess with 1/6 of the economy in a way that has left the middle class, the elderly, the young and small business owners wondering how badly they are going to fare?
No, of course not. This is all just ideology at work.
"But the success of the conservative narrative ought to trouble liberals and the Obama administration. The president has had to "own" the economic catastrophe much earlier than he should have. Most Americans understand that the mess we are in started before Obama got to the White House. Yet many, especially political independents, are upset that the government has had to spend so much and that things have not turned around as fast as they had hoped. "
Earlier than he should have? Just when should that have been, EJ? Someone PLEASE let me know when Barack Obama begins to be in charge. When does he own the economy? As for things not turning around as fast--could it be that the $800B stimulus bill was simply a bad bill that stimulated very little? Could there be ANY connection between disillusion with Obama and bad policy?
Is there even a possibility, E.J., that disillusion with Obama might have something to do with his decision to mess with 1/6 of the economy in a way that has left the middle class, the elderly, the young and small business owners wondering how badly they are going to fare?
No, of course not. This is all just ideology at work.
MA Senate Race
Scott Brown continues to show improvement in poll after poll as the race winds down, and some even have him slipping ahead. I'd prefer to just be shocked and hope he wins, rather than believe ANY poll that shows him ahead in the Peoples Democratic Republic of Massachusetts. That said, a couple of things:
1. It never ceases to amaze me the way the Democratic party has turned a murdering, womanizing, boozing boor into a saint, whose memory is now venerated.
2. This party of unions, this party of "working" people (a pet peeve as you well know), seems to have a problem with Scott Brown's having been a "truck driver". Why exactly?
3. I think what we're seeing in MA, as we saw in NJ and VA, is that Barack Obama has no coattails. While he is a personally popular man, voter turnout and enthusiasm among Democrats plummets when he's not on the ballot. Implications? Dems have nothing to fear in defying him. This could be a real opportunity for Republicans.
1. It never ceases to amaze me the way the Democratic party has turned a murdering, womanizing, boozing boor into a saint, whose memory is now venerated.
2. This party of unions, this party of "working" people (a pet peeve as you well know), seems to have a problem with Scott Brown's having been a "truck driver". Why exactly?
3. I think what we're seeing in MA, as we saw in NJ and VA, is that Barack Obama has no coattails. While he is a personally popular man, voter turnout and enthusiasm among Democrats plummets when he's not on the ballot. Implications? Dems have nothing to fear in defying him. This could be a real opportunity for Republicans.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Obama as Chavez
As I read this story and analyze the rhetoric, it occurs to me that when Barack Obama hops up on his populist perch, he sounds a lot like Hugo Chavez.
The Old Dominion Gets a New Governor
Robert McDonnell was sworn in as Governor of Virginia yesterday, one of the oldest and most historical offices in this country. The ceremony is well-covered in this story--but two things strike me as worthy of note.
1. As the link indicates, Virginia tradition has it that as soon as the new Governor takes the oath of office, the previous Governor and his spouse quietly and unobtrusively depart the stage. This strikes me as quite civilized, the sort of thing you just don't see much of elsewhere.
2. I didn't follow the VA Governor's Race all that closely--Sally did a great job of it for one thing, and I live in Maryland now. But McDonnnell's sunny, upbeat, positive message--conveyed by an attractive and articulate candidate--is a winning formula. Where've we seen it before? How bout Ronny Reagan? Where else might we be seeing it? How bout Scott Brown in Massachusetts. The Party needs to keep finding candidates like these--who know how to talk and who know how to lead. They are tough, efficient, and competent--but they come off as avuncular and inclusive.
1. As the link indicates, Virginia tradition has it that as soon as the new Governor takes the oath of office, the previous Governor and his spouse quietly and unobtrusively depart the stage. This strikes me as quite civilized, the sort of thing you just don't see much of elsewhere.
2. I didn't follow the VA Governor's Race all that closely--Sally did a great job of it for one thing, and I live in Maryland now. But McDonnnell's sunny, upbeat, positive message--conveyed by an attractive and articulate candidate--is a winning formula. Where've we seen it before? How bout Ronny Reagan? Where else might we be seeing it? How bout Scott Brown in Massachusetts. The Party needs to keep finding candidates like these--who know how to talk and who know how to lead. They are tough, efficient, and competent--but they come off as avuncular and inclusive.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Big Fat Friday Free For All
All Time High (April 1 2009): 192.2
Diet start (June 1): 189
Last Friday: 177.8
Today: 175.4
Goal: Sub 150
Solid week here, with reasonable exercise and only a few dieting indiscretions. Sorry I'm at this a bit late this morning, but events ran on a bit last night.
So, what's on your mind people? The Massachusetts Senate race got you fired up? Wondering what impact a Brown victory could have on healthcare? All excited and can't wait until next Wednesday's Conservative Wahoo Live! internet radio show?
Sit down, pull up a chair. Unburden yourselves.
Diet start (June 1): 189
Last Friday: 177.8
Today: 175.4
Goal: Sub 150
Solid week here, with reasonable exercise and only a few dieting indiscretions. Sorry I'm at this a bit late this morning, but events ran on a bit last night.
So, what's on your mind people? The Massachusetts Senate race got you fired up? Wondering what impact a Brown victory could have on healthcare? All excited and can't wait until next Wednesday's Conservative Wahoo Live! internet radio show?
Sit down, pull up a chair. Unburden yourselves.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Last Night's Radio Show
Great turnout for last night's show (archived here), and I hope those who listened saw some improvements from last week. I prepared a little better, though still not enough. Gotta pay attention to the timing better, as the end of my hour came rushing up at me pretty quickly.
Many thanks to the callers who REALLY make the show. Some great thoughts on a wide range of topics. It appears that we had about 80 plus listeners last night, almost double show #1.
Many thanks to the callers who REALLY make the show. Some great thoughts on a wide range of topics. It appears that we had about 80 plus listeners last night, almost double show #1.
Scientists Who Need Scientists
Are the luckiest scientists in the world. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has announced that they will be moving the hands of their famous "Doomsday Clock" via live web feed this afternoon. The last time the clock hands were moved was in 2007, when they were moved to the five minutes to midnight position to call attention to the failure to solve problems posed by nuclear war.
Speculation is that the BAS will do their peeps in climatology (who, after all, are still feeling a bit wounded by Climategate) a proper by moving the hand closer to midnight to reflect the growing global menace posed by anthropogenic global warming.
Personally I feel the global threat posed by Islamic jihadists to be a bit more menacing and immediate, but AGW "deniers" aren't known to break into people's homes brandishing axes when their sensibilities are called into question.
Update: Whoops, I never could tell time correctly. The BAS has decided to move the had back to 6 minutes to midnight, citing (ever-so-subtly) the tireless efforts of The One in reducing the world's nuclear arsenals, lowering sea levels and healing the planet.
Remember folks, in setting your Doomsday Clocks, it's Conservatives forward, Obama back...
John Yoo On The Daily Show
Bush Administration Justice Department official, law professor, and the left's great anti-Christ John Yoo sat down with Jon Stewart yesterday. The three part, uncensored interview is here (about 25 minutes altogether).
Yoo's written a book about Presidential power and he was on the show hawking the book. Yoo you may remember, wrote some of the notorious "torture" memos upon which the Bush Administration based its expanded interrogation procedures. Yoo's basic thesis is that during wartime, the President has enormous (but not limitless) power, and throughout history, our greatest Presidents have exercised that power. Conversely, our worst Presidents shrank from it.
The discussion with Stewart is fascinating, though at times annoying. Let's face it; Jon Stewart is a smart, well-informed guy. He was well-prepared to go to the mat with a constitutional law specialist, and there are elements of a great discussion here. The problem though, is that Stewart insists on asking a question and then interrupting Yoo mere seconds after Yoo begins to answer. It is a pattern repeated over and over.
Yoo remains--dare I say it--inscrutable. He is imperturbable, despite Stewart's best efforts, and he appears to gain some grudging measure of respect from Stewart for it by the end of the interview. Clearly Stewart disagrees with Yoo--but in the end, the discussion was not disagreeable. It's worth watching end to end if you have the time.
HT--Instapundit
Yoo's written a book about Presidential power and he was on the show hawking the book. Yoo you may remember, wrote some of the notorious "torture" memos upon which the Bush Administration based its expanded interrogation procedures. Yoo's basic thesis is that during wartime, the President has enormous (but not limitless) power, and throughout history, our greatest Presidents have exercised that power. Conversely, our worst Presidents shrank from it.
The discussion with Stewart is fascinating, though at times annoying. Let's face it; Jon Stewart is a smart, well-informed guy. He was well-prepared to go to the mat with a constitutional law specialist, and there are elements of a great discussion here. The problem though, is that Stewart insists on asking a question and then interrupting Yoo mere seconds after Yoo begins to answer. It is a pattern repeated over and over.
Yoo remains--dare I say it--inscrutable. He is imperturbable, despite Stewart's best efforts, and he appears to gain some grudging measure of respect from Stewart for it by the end of the interview. Clearly Stewart disagrees with Yoo--but in the end, the discussion was not disagreeable. It's worth watching end to end if you have the time.
HT--Instapundit
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Carnival's No Funhouse
Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that it will no longer be booking "Cougar Cruises". The term "cougar" is used to denote mature single women who date men younger men (often referred to as "cubs"). Carnival says it was strictly a business decision.
Pity.
Sadness
I can't even begin to understand how sad this man is.
News at the Surface Navy Association is of a massive relief effort with the Navy at its heart.
Pray for these poor people, please.
Here's the American Red Cross donation website. Study after study show that Conservatives are more compassionate with their charitable giving than Liberals. Let's prove it. Who's in for $100?
Are Republicans Ready For 2010?
Two articles you may have missed beg the same rhetorical question - are Republicans ready to lead should the 2010 elections go their way?
The first, by Ramesh Ponnuru, provides some needed cold water to Republicans' perceived overconfidence on their 2010 prospects. Ponnuru points to five factors that could work against Republicans come November. He ends:
"The better Republicans' prospects become, the more Americans are going to ask whether the party is ready to lead. Chairman Steele recently said that he wasn't sure it was. It was another gaffe; it was also true."
The second article is from Peggy Noonan, and posits that passage of the health care reform bill will amount to a "catastrophic victory" for Democrats. Noonan feels the Obama Administration misread and overestimated its mandate, choosing to stake its and Democrats' collective fortunes on a massive, expensive, and confusing health care bill when the public sentiment was focused more on jobs, the economy and the deficit.
While Noonan doesn't question probable Republican electoral gains, she does express concern that the party lacks a cohesive message and is ill-equipped to lead:
"They do not see that 2010 could be a catastrophic for them. If they seize power without a clear purpose, if they are not serious, if they do the lazy and cynical thing by just sitting back and letting the Democrats lose...Republicans themselves will be left unable to lead when their time comes."
The elections are only ten months away, still plenty of time for Democrats to reverse their negatives. Is it enough time for Republicans to reverse theirs?
The first, by Ramesh Ponnuru, provides some needed cold water to Republicans' perceived overconfidence on their 2010 prospects. Ponnuru points to five factors that could work against Republicans come November. He ends:
"The better Republicans' prospects become, the more Americans are going to ask whether the party is ready to lead. Chairman Steele recently said that he wasn't sure it was. It was another gaffe; it was also true."
The second article is from Peggy Noonan, and posits that passage of the health care reform bill will amount to a "catastrophic victory" for Democrats. Noonan feels the Obama Administration misread and overestimated its mandate, choosing to stake its and Democrats' collective fortunes on a massive, expensive, and confusing health care bill when the public sentiment was focused more on jobs, the economy and the deficit.
While Noonan doesn't question probable Republican electoral gains, she does express concern that the party lacks a cohesive message and is ill-equipped to lead:
"They do not see that 2010 could be a catastrophic for them. If they seize power without a clear purpose, if they are not serious, if they do the lazy and cynical thing by just sitting back and letting the Democrats lose...Republicans themselves will be left unable to lead when their time comes."
The elections are only ten months away, still plenty of time for Democrats to reverse their negatives. Is it enough time for Republicans to reverse theirs?
2M Jobs Created....or Saved
We've kicked this one around quite a bit here on the CW--you remember, the vapidity of the Obama Administration's tracking of "saved" jobs as a way of bolstering support of its feckless "stimulus" package. The latest figure they are putting out is 2M jobs created or "saved". If you read the article, you get a hint of the growing dissatisfaction with the use of the term "saved", and its often flexible interpretation. That said, at some point the media has a duty to stop reporting the "saved" jobs and only report on the "created" jobs--a figure more widely accepted.
What's the problem with saved jobs, you may ask? Doesn't it make sense to count the 200 teacher jobs saved in Podunkville as a result of stimulus money? No. It doesn't. Because what are being counted there are jobs that might be lost--and might also NOT be lost.
Here's the scenario. Podunkville has a budget deficit--and it looks around at what needs to get cut. Teachers and first responders are always a good target--especially when there's "stimulus" money to be had. Poor folks are gonna get FIRED if we don't get some cash from Uncle Sugar. Problem with this is that if Uncle Sugar rolled in and said no--the local officials would have to face their own constituencies locally---who in some cases wouldn't accept this response to fiscal crisis. There would be a locally driven impetus to roll up sleeves and look for other cuts. Sometimes, jobs could be "saved", and sometimes they couldn't. But counting the ones that would be saved same as ones that wouldn't is just zany, and it is no way to track the success of a $787B program.
What's the problem with saved jobs, you may ask? Doesn't it make sense to count the 200 teacher jobs saved in Podunkville as a result of stimulus money? No. It doesn't. Because what are being counted there are jobs that might be lost--and might also NOT be lost.
Here's the scenario. Podunkville has a budget deficit--and it looks around at what needs to get cut. Teachers and first responders are always a good target--especially when there's "stimulus" money to be had. Poor folks are gonna get FIRED if we don't get some cash from Uncle Sugar. Problem with this is that if Uncle Sugar rolled in and said no--the local officials would have to face their own constituencies locally---who in some cases wouldn't accept this response to fiscal crisis. There would be a locally driven impetus to roll up sleeves and look for other cuts. Sometimes, jobs could be "saved", and sometimes they couldn't. But counting the ones that would be saved same as ones that wouldn't is just zany, and it is no way to track the success of a $787B program.
The Conservative Wahoo LIVE! Tonight at 8PM
Just a reminder to faithful readers that The Conservative Wahoo Live! internet radio show will broadcast tonight at 8PM Eastern. Simply click this link.
Lots to talk about this week, including unrest in Iraq, the Senate race in Massachusetts, Harry Reid and more.
Call in if you'd like at 347-637-2203.
Lots to talk about this week, including unrest in Iraq, the Senate race in Massachusetts, Harry Reid and more.
Call in if you'd like at 347-637-2203.
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